The role of thymosin-β4 in kidney disease.

Expert opinion on biological therapy2015PMID: 26096077

View on PubMed DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1009891

Plain Language Summary

Editorial outlining the evidence for thymosin β4 as a therapeutic candidate in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Reviews TB4's anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic mechanisms in renal pathology, noting parallels with its established cardiac and wound healing efficacy. Positions TB4 as a naturally occurring peptide whose established clinical safety profile provides a straightforward development pathway for kidney disease testing—a major unmet need affecting over 800 million people worldwide with limited disease-modifying treatments.

Abstract

Therapies that modulate inflammation and fibrosis have the potential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A promising avenue may be manipulating thymosin-β4, a naturally occurring peptide, which is the major G-actin sequestering protein in mammalian cells and a regulator of inflammation and fibrosis. Thymosin-β4 is already being tested in clinical trials for heart disease and wound healing. This editorial outlines the evidence that thymosin-β4 may also have therapeutic benefit in CKD.

Authors

Vasilopoulou, Elisavet; Winyard, Paul J D; Riley, Paul R; Long, David A

Keywords

Ac-SDKPfibrosisinflammationkidney diseasethymosin-β4